Veteran actor Pete Edochie has named the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first Premier of Nigeria’s Western Region, as his favourite Nigerian politician, citing his contributions to education, broadcasting and national development.
The 79-year-old actor made this known during an interview on Curiosity Made Me Ask, hosted by content creator Adebayo Abidemi, popularly known as Isbae U, and published on Saturday.
Edochie, who stressed that he was not involved in politics, said he admired Awolowo for setting clear targets and explaining how he intended to fund and execute his programmes.
“First of all, I love the Yorubas a lot. One of my sons is married to a Yoruba girl, I didn’t tell you that, so you’re my in-law. I’m not into politics, no. But, if you ask me who is or was my favourite politician, I will tell you Awolowo.”
Explaining his choice, the actor said Awolowo stood out because he clearly outlined what he wanted to achieve, how much it would cost and where the funding would come from.
“You people were not born when Awolowo was in active politics. But Awolowo will tell you, ‘I’m going to build this thing. It will cost a certain amount, and this is where I’m going to get it.’ There has been no politician to achieve that, no. Outside Awolowo, then M.I. Okpara in the East.”
Edochie also credited Awolowo with introducing several major initiatives to Nigeria, including television broadcasting and free primary education.
According to him, Awolowo was instrumental in the establishment of Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) in 1959, which he described as the first television station in Africa.
“Awolowo brought television into Nigeria. He did. Then you would hear, ‘This is WNBC, first in Africa,’ under Awolowo. That was in 1959.”
He recalled that the Eastern Region established its own television service a year later, adding that it was proudly described as “second to none” despite coming after the Western Region.
“Then in 1960, we in the East established our own television, and we were saying, ‘This is ENBC, second to none.’ We were second to the West, but we didn’t want to accept it, so we were saying second to none. Awolowo introduced it.”
The veteran actor further praised Awolowo’s free primary education programme in the Western Region, noting that it benefited people regardless of their backgrounds or places of origin.
“Awolowo introduced free primary education. And he surprised everybody who was born then in the West. No matter where you came from, you benefited from it, you know?”
Edochie said he regretted that Awolowo never became President of Nigeria, despite his significant contributions to the country.
“So, on a couple of occasions, when I tell people that this man was my favourite, regrettably, he never became the president of the country, right? But he wasn’t somebody who would invest so much energy promising.”
For Edochie, Awolowo’s appeal lies not merely in the promises he made, but in his emphasis on clearly defined goals, practical plans and concrete development initiatives.
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